Solar Walk™ - Planets of the Solar System 2.3.2
Despite not being free, and despite packing multiple in-app purchases, Solar Walk is an invaluable asset for classrooms as well as for households with a keen eye on science, technology and the universe we live in. It's one of those tools that really lets you see the big picture through the small screen of an iDevice.
A superb representation of outer space
The full version of Solar Walk is nearly identical to Solar Walk Free, in that it offers a crisp visual representation of the solar system, but also of the Milky Way. The layout is simple and intuitive, and it can be used both by students to explore the solar system at will, as well as by teachers projecting or mirroring the UI on a bigger display in the classroom.
That said, the interface is also quite unresponsive to panning and zooming at times.
Learn about every planet in sight, and its moons
Solar Walk is essentially a 3D solar system model that lets you navigate between planets by just flying over to them. You touch an object with your finger and you’re off to find out its secrets, whether its a planet, a moon, a man-made satellite, a comet or an asteroid, etc.
You can see position of any object on a specific date by simply advancing time progression. This lets you explore how they move and learn their trajectories. Solar Walk further lets you see the planets’ inner structures, a history of their exploration, their geography, etc.
The app offers extensive information on every planet, including size, mass, composition of atmosphere, orbital velocity, structural layers, and even exploratory missions.
Planets covered in Solar Walk include Mercury,Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and even Pluto, which was deemed a non-planet (or a dwarf planet) a few years ago. The Sun is also there and ready to be explored. Just don’t get too close (wink).
Add to watchlist:
ReferenceAstronomy
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0/5
Hits & Misses
hits
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misses
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Bottom Line
Design / UI10
Solar Walk is a visual delight. The full version of the app not only grants access to the whole solar system, but also lets you view the Milky Way from afar. |
Function8
For all its oomph, Solar Walk tends to become unresponsive sometimes. However, the impact is marginal, and the wealth of information this app has to offer is more than you can bargain for. |
Security8
Has various alerts and nag screens, and connects to various external services, but there’s nothing to worry about. |
Battery5
Major power drainer, just like its sister apps Solar Walk Free and Star Walk. It goes with the job description, really. |
Price9
You get quite a lot of bang for your buck ($0.99 / €0.89). The IAPs are for extras (i.e. not mandatory to enjoy the full experience). |
Compatibility9
Requires iOS 7.0 and works natively with all iDevice models. |
Don’t fly too close to the Sun now, ya hear?
Specifications
- price:
- 2.99
- current version:
- 2.3.2
- reviewed version:
- 2.3
- developer:
- Vito Technology Inc.
- category:
- SCIENCE & EDUCATION
- os version req.:
- 7.0
- age rating:
- 4+
- in-app purchases:
- Yes. Multiple in-app purchases from $0.99 to $1.99
- hits:
- 616